After quilting for 29 years, I just finished a quilt using a flat sheet for the backing for the first time. I am extremely pleased with the results! I used a 100% cotton twin sheet that my kids used for years when they were young. It was washed hundreds of times and was very soft but not worn out at all. At the time of purchase, it was a very good quality sheet (expensive) but I loved the design and it was on sale. It was a dream to quilt through on my domestic machine and the bonus is that it brings back memories of my babies whenever I see it!
Leah you are a breath of fresh air! I almost gave up on quilting when I first went on line to learn and joined some quilting groups. The snobbery and meanness I ran into about everything from fabric to machines to needles to thread was discouraging. I didn't want to associate with a community like that. I've learned on my own all the things you are addressing here. Yes I'm still quilting and today I am finishing my rainbow log cabin quilt with a nice flat sheet.
That's great Nancy! You have to find your crowd with quilting online and there are a lot of quilters spreading around a lot of limiting beliefs. I have to wonder how many quilts they're making!
Fantastic video, Leah. Use whatever fabrics you want to use and don’t care about what others think! Of course, you have to consider the reason for the quilt (daily use, showing, etc.) but otherwise there are no rules. Period. The quilting world has changed so much over the years. I have been quilting for 30 years (since I was 23!) and for many of those,, of course, there was no online community. In all of those years, I was only a member of one organized group for two years (a local guild that met in the evenings) and, for all of the other years, I’ve been a solitary quilter. Our local guilds meet in the morning and I work. In the past 15 years, I’ve watched it all unfold online (new conventions, modern quilting, blogs, millions of opinions, etc.) but I’ve watched from the sidelines. As things have progressed, I’ve just always done my own thing. I had a small fabric stash and, after using up most of it for a scrappy quilting I’m currently making for my niece, I have NO fabric stash! It amazes me to see these bloggers with thousands of dollars worth of trendy fabrics and I sometimes wonder if they are truly quilters or fabric collectors! The best advice I can give to you and everyone else is to make quilts the way you want with the fabrics you want to make them with. This will lead to a happy quilting life!
I worked in a nursing home and did a project with our residents. Since our people grew up in the depression we wanted to do something from that time frame, Being a nursing home what did we have a lot of, scrubs, they get thrown out but some parts of them are good so we cut them up and made quilts out of them. Our residents loved it and keep telling us about their childhood and the quilts their grandma or mother made for them. We raffled off the quilts to make money for extra outings. They loved it and there is nothing wrong with using quilts made from these scrubs. I now make walker bags for our rehab unit and yes you guessed it, out of scrubs. They are well received.
Picture hands clapping. My parents went through the depression. Learned frugal ways from them, including how to recycle the best of the worn into quilts. Good to hear those scrubs didn't make it to landfills. That at least portions of them will have a much longer useful life. It ain't about "global cooling" that became "global warming" that evolved into "climate change". It's simply about being good stewards of what we have in life. Thank you for sharing your story.
This is such a cool idea!! And scrubs are so tough, yet soft. As you know, stains come with the job, but you don't want to wear stained clothes to work, so I bet there are ghastly amount that don't get a econd life and end up in the landfill. It would be wonderful if more reued their scrubs in this way, and for nursing home residents to boot! I wonder if anyone is doing this elewhere--I mean, I see an etsy and ebay opportunity, here...
Thank you for saying this!!!! I get so upset and disgusted when I see people telling someone in person or online they are less because they use box store fabric or any fabric they want. Yes that is what judgment does....it makes people feel bad! So use what u want, if it stretches or is slippy stabalize it. Have fun. We are only here for a small amount of time. Enjoy! Build others up dont tear them down.
So true! Can you imagine going to Gee’s Bend and telling the quilters in the community what fabrics to use? It’s insanity. Quilts were first utilitarian in nature with art incorporated later. Don’t ever tell an artist what medium they can or cannot work in!
I love that you are not a fabric snob and accept other fabrics for quilts. Historically, women made quilts with whatever they could get their hands on and some of those are not only around today but have monetary value. There are also many people living in communities where there are no fabric stores and are many hours drive to get to one. They too use whatever they can get their hands on whether it is old clothing or bedsheets.
I live in Tennessee but not close to a quilt shop. I buy from box stores, thrift stores, and order online. I may be able to splurge once in a while to buy top designer fabric, but don't. I see it as wasting my money. I have bought quilt shop fabric on sale before. I actually have a hard time telling the difference. Some of the fabrics at Lobby and JoAnn are good quality. They have some less favorable fabric, too. You just have to look no matter where you buy fabric.
Here's a debate....some people have used old blankets for batting as well. What do you think of this. Let's not forgot in the old days, quilts weren't made from fabric from the quilt shop down the street, they used whatever they had available to them.
My mother and others used old blankets as batting. Over time blankets can become threadbare. Sandwiched inside a quilt, they're ready to begin their second useful life. Well quilted, they do standup fine to the rigors of daily use on beds during cold winters.
My mom used 3 storebought blankets to make me a heavy blanket to take to college. I have since taken it apart and am using each blanket for the batting in quilts for my kids to take to college. The first 2 turned out fabulous and survived college, the last one needs to be ready to go in 2019!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful insight. I’m new to quilting and on a very tight budget. I made a crazy quilt using leftover scarps. I called it my ccc quilt Corona crazy quilt. I had a extra flat sheet and wanted to see if it was okay to use. So I accidentally come across this debate 🤨 so thanks again for your common sense information 😁
My initiation into quilting was through a church group making charity quilts for children. My experience was 8th grade home economics. I was the person who designed and pieced quilt tops. I didn't know any rules so I used whatever fabric was least expensive including thrift store finds, Walmart sales and bed sheets.
Preach it, Sister. Preach it. Sadly, many who set those "rules" have not studied textile history. They've never taken the time to learn what our forefathers (and mothers) did to put clothing on people and beds. Not likely they've ever seen a boll of cotton, carded wool, nor processed flax. In past times woven goods (fabrics) were precious and nothing went to waste. Average people couldn't buy yardage just to make quilts. Didn't weave for the primary usage of making quilts, if I understand history correctly. Born of depression era parents, in the rural south, the quilts I saw were made from scrap fabrics. Scraps leftover from making clothing. Good parts of worn out clothing were saved for quilts, too. Just as people today, save the good parts of worn out jeans for reuse, the same was done with shirts, dresses, etc. I know. I watched my mother make quilts from scraps. She used a treadle sewing machine. I loved to play with the treadle. It was easier for her to teach me how to sew. Kept me busy and she had some help. My mother in law's mother still had a quilting frame. Both of them quilted, first on treadles, then on electric machines. In later years my mother in law started buying backing fabrics. Prior to then, both sides of the quilts of all 3 ladies mentioned were pieced on BOTH sides. I still have a few of their quilts. At least 2 of them have blankets, inside, instead of batting. Also, I recognize the weave of "flour sack" and "feed sack" fabrics in some of the squares. Animal feed used to come in fabric bags printed as modern quilting cotton is today. Those fabrics were a treasure and prized for clothing and various linens, including quilts. It is a fairly modern concept of having thermostats to control whole house heating and cooling. Back when I was a kid, bedrooms were cold during the winter. Quilts were a necessity. (In my area wool blankets were not common for several reasons.) Quilts PRIMARY purpose was for warmth on cold winter nights. For the average person, quilts were made for function first and foremost. Second, was beauty, art and possibly a blue ribbon at the county fair. That said, quilting is an art. It is a skill and there are master craftsmen (persons) who can take this art to the highest levels achievable with fibers. With the fibers available for usage by each person picking up a needle. IMO, beauty can be achieved on any medium whether it's the finest silk from the Orient or a feed sack from a grain mill. Each should be judged on its own merit. Not on an "artificial" rule someone dreamed up that the only good quilt is the one that meets his or her standards. Thanks for the discussion. Thanks for listening to this old timer.
Oldtimer Lee Flour also came in printed sacks. I purchased it until the late 50's and used the fabric to sew with. I learned to sew with my grandmother helping me and spent lots of time with her treadle machine. I also spent time playing under the quilting frame while friends and relatives quilted. I know how quilts were made and most were what would now be looked down on. They kept me warm in winter and gave me a place to nap in the summer.
Exactly! I grew up with a wood stove to heat the house and by the morning the fire would always burn down so the rooms were always cold. There is simply nothing as wonderful as three heavy quilts layered on top to keep the chill out. I love it!
A good feather bed adds a lot of comfort to a winter night. We used coal to heat and that would stay banked all night. I laugh when people tell me that I can't do things that were common when I was a child. They have no idea of how people lived in the not so distant past.
Years ago I read an article about a quilter that was asked to make a replica of an antique banner or wall hanging to hang in a museum. She looked high and low for the right color and finally found the perfect fabric color at walmart...she bought yards of it! My immediate thought was: If she can use walmart fabric in a museum quilt I can certainly use it in mine!!!
Leah, really enjoyed this subject. I’ve just recently started quilting myself, and I honestly appreciate anyone that gives a thumbs up on using what works for an individuals budget. It’s the same for knitting/crocheters. People that criticize those that use big box store brands over the more expensive indie dyers, irritate me to know end. Thanks for keeping it real.- Maureen
Thank you Maureen! It drives me nuts when I find a knitting or crochet book designed for beginners, but using all expensive, hard to find, and quickly out of date yarn. What is wrong with the yarn readily available that never goes out of style or stock? Another soap box for another day!
Now that I know that flat sheets can be use on the backing of the quilt I'm going to start right on it, thank you so much you are a blessing to us all, continue take care of yourself and your love ones
Thank you, thank you, thank you for telling me to go ahead and use a bed sheet! I am retired and living on a fixed income so I really don't have the extra money to afford the "quilt shop quality" fabric. I can't wait to see how the quilt turns out using the bed sheet as backing!
I love your “no nonsense” practical approach to quilting. Unless it is on sale, I cant (or won’t) pay the high cost of fabric from most quilt shops. It’s beautiful, but out of my reach. I even use $1.00 bandannas for crafting projects like cosmetic bags, purses, potholders, and key fobs/lanyards. People love the prints. Your teaching style is refreshing.
When I first started quilting 30ish years ago I made my dad (knowing he would love whatever I made) a through. He used it for many years. I used a single bed sheet that someone gave me. I don't know if it was 100% cotton or not because I just don't remember. As he aged with his illnesses the through he kept on the back of his recliner was heavily used. Now 30ish years later the binding is getting a little thin. This quilt was loved a lot. That's why I make quilts.
Aw! That is so sweet Candy. I completely agree - it doesn't really matter what you make the quilt out of. Just make it and love it and if you have to, add another backing to it so it can continue to be used and loved some more.
I made a queen size quilt 18 years ago (with no quilting experience or youtube) for my sister using polyester and poly/cotton fabric from my mothers stash. It was the pattern on the fabrics that inspired me and not the fabric type. I cut into 5" squares and pieced them together. I backed it with a poly/cotton sheet (from WalMart) and tacked the quilt with yarn. My sister still uses the quilt in the winter months here in Canada and it washes well and looks great. Thank you for the info!!
Thank you! Do what makes you happy with quilting or anything for that matter and cut out toxic people who choose to criticize instead of uplifting others.
The sweater is beautiful, like lava and sound waves all together! Boy are you an artist!! Now a days if a quilter uses clothes of loved ones for a quilt its called a "memory" quilt when in fact that's what quilters made quilts out of for need of warmth.
You are a girl after my own heart! All my quilts are made from used fabric from charity shops (or I cannibalise my wardrobe) as buying new is not an option money-wise. I like to tell myself that if I was using brand new 'proper' quilting cotton I'd be a fantastic quilter, as there are definite problems with using different weights of fabric in the same quilt. But hey! I want to make quilts, so that's what I use. And thanks for drilling it in to me about the starching. Things improved a lot when I started OTT starching. I make my own and fill used spray bottles.
As a longarm quilter for the public I totally understand the need for using bed sheets....in my opinion as long as it’s the same fabric (cotton) I say go for it. I’ve had several problems when the sheets aren’t square or they still have the turned edges. Just today I quilted a quilt top and the backing was a silky, stretchy bed sheet for the backing. It ended up being a bit of a hassle during the rolling process, but I managed to get the job done regardless. My other issue would be if you’ve spent lots of money AND time on a quilt top then why would you want to use a low thread count backing. BUT I understand when my clients might have to use bedsheets so I just try to educate them on the different qualities of the bed sheets. A lot of those who I’ve mentioned this to have been very grateful for my help.
Thank you so much for sharing Tiffanee! I really appreciate you weighing in on this topic as a professional longarmer. It's so good to know that this is working out just fine for you and your customers.
I really appreciate your kind words and advice. I have been quilting for some time but felt intimidated by 'some' opinions of quilters. I love making quilts to actually use. Beauty comes in many forms. I admire your talents and gifted quilting. To hear your take on this means so much. Your heart and quilts are beautiful. Thank you so much ❤❤❤
I usually use sheets on the back because I do not like to piece the back. The fact that it is more cost effective is nice too! I’ve never had a problem.
I also like the idea of bed sheets as backing or in the top and when giving the quilt as a gift ( or for yourself) give a sheet set of the same as in the quilt. There’s nothing like giving or getting a whole coordinating bed set and quilt.
God Bless you Leah. My Grandmother and Aunt worked in a men wool suit factory, At the end of the day they would go thru the throw away boxes and take fabric for quilts. They used wool, sheet blankets for batting, and flannel for backing, I still have one of those quilts and have used it many times when it was really cold. I love it, and who cares what it was made from.
I agree, experiment with fabric. My very 1st quilt I made with 50/50 cotton/poly blend sheeting, polyester material and lawn, - there was no you-tube and I made my own templates. It was well loved and washed lots and did fall apart, but I learnt a lot from the process. When my kids were young I made quilts with cross stitch Aida fabric (over 15 years ago) - I sewed white fabric onto the back of each Aida block to help protect the cross stitch. My kids used these quilts every day and they were washed frequently - they are still in one piece today and put away as heirlooms in a cupboard. So to all quilters - have fun, experiment, enjoy the process of trying something new - think outside the box, and make your own rules.
Exactly! The point is the making and the loving. There's nothing like being wrapped up in a quilt and know the person that made it loved what they were doing.
I've made quilts (simple ones) with upholstery fabric. They are a little stiff at first but are great for weighted blankets. My husband favourite is one of my upholstery fabric quilts with a bed sheet backing and he has used for 15 plus years.
I’m a newbie quilter in the general scheme of things and before I knew there were “rules”, I did use flannel sheets to back a few of my early quilts. I love them and they were not difficult to machine quilt (two with a walking foot and one free motion). They are easy to wash, get used a lot and are super cuddly!
FYI Leah, I recently pieced and longarmed a quilt made with flannel 10" precut squares, flannel backing and a flannel bed sheet (bought at a thrift store!) for the "batting"! I'm very pleased with it, it's quite cozy and I can't wait for it to get a little broken in!
My wonderful Grandmother had 8 children, 5 were boys. She used whatever was available to make quilts. Worn out jeans and clothes, flour sacks, threadbare blankets as batting, you name it. I remember in my youth watching a circle of ladies passing the needle around on the quilt frame that hung from the ceiling ( it was pullied up to the ceiling at night). Both my grandmothers lived next door to each other in thier later years and collaborated on many wonderful quilts, using whatever and quilted on that pull-down frame. After they were gone, I inherited a big bag of pre-cut fabric, destined for a rail fence quilt I am sure. There was everything, poly, corduroy, thin prints, you name it, you could even see the pencil lines used to mark them for cutting. They made some of the most beautiful, well loved, well worn quilts and i am proud to say I have a few of them. Those ladies are my examples to follow.
My great grandmother also quilted on a suspended frame! She had 8 sisters and they would get together every Sunday night to quilt together. Sadly no one ever thought to snap a picture of them. I wonder if the pulley system was sold by frame manufacturers? I'm curious now because your story sounds so similar to mine. That's wonderful that you inherited so many amazing quilts!
I like the idea of using a sheet for backing fabric and have done it myself. Just think, as you said, it’s a little more economical to buy a sheet vs. cotton fabric and the sheets come in the size to fit the bed you are quilting for with no seams in back side where we usually have to splice them together. Love it. As a matter of fact, I have a sheet ready to go for my next quilt.
My mom made quilts from sheets about 40 years ago. Beside having her memories in them they are still soo soo soft still and no problems with them despite many washings.
Truth!!! I love your perspectives! I started quilting because my MIL told me it wasn't possible to turn my t-shirts into a quilt because it wouldn't be stable. That was more than 20 years and 200 t-shirt quilts later! 90% of my customers request t-shirt/clothing/memory quilts and I do it! I've even put chunky sweaters in quilts, and it worked! After testing many interfacing options, my favorite is a woven fusible like Shape Flex.
We used to have an outlet store near us. I could get queen sized flat sheets for $2.00. I used them to back summer quilts for our beds. They were perfect for when it was cool and you needed a light weight cover and the sheet backing didn't make you sweaty. I miss that outlet.
I am old....😂😂😂. Old enough to be your Mom. I feel sooo lucky to be living in the age of internet! I agree totally. I use it EVERY DAY. I watched You Tube to teach myself to quilt. I’ve found so much pleasure from crafting. ( thank YOU for all of your help). I’ve learned how to grow Succulents, new patterns for needle works, help with quilting questions. I use it to preview books I want to read and the list goes on. 👍🏻😁. Love your work. Your quilting videos are ASMR for me. Thanks!
well said, At age 60 I learned to can and use an all american canner by watching you tube. I also learned how to install a shower, do electrical and framing this way. And of course how to quilt.
You are a ray of sunshine, Leah😊. Early in our marriage, my husband commented on a bedroom set we saw. I searched high and low and finally found it at an outlet a few years later. It was on clearance so I bought all the sheets they had so I could make coordinating items and in case the originals wore out. Fast forward 20 years...we have changed to a king sized bed and I recently rediscovered my sheet stash in the attic. I wanted to make a king sized quilt for my hubby as a love gift but was discouraged by the feedback I was getting. You have given me the courage to try! Thank you! Also, when you’re talking about stabilizing tshirt fabric what is the product you use? Is it fringe or French, and would you ever back a throw sized quilt with minky? Thanks so much!!!
Great questions! The stabilizer I use is French Fuse and I believe Josh will be cutting more later this week. Yes, I've used Minky over a few bed quilts and several throw quilts and I LOVE it. So soft and cuddly!
I used a cheap bed sheet to make a bed skirt. The sheet went over the box spring, and I got quilt fabric to put around the bed, sewn to the bed sheet. It kinda matches the quilt I made for the bed, and looks fine. So you can make a matching bed skit to go with the quilt. And the sheets are sturdier than the material made in commercial bed skirts. I put a sheet one a commercial bed skirt to make it last longer.
At Christmas time last year, I wandered into the dressy apparel fabric section at JoAnn’s. I used metallics in gold, silver, and white, along with other fabric for star wall hangings. It was fun. Not everything turned out well as some of the fabric had a tendency to ravel and fray. But it was a learning experience and something I can keep in mind for the future by either figuring out how to deal with the fraying or look for a different fabric. The key is to be aware that potential problems may arise and be ready to accept that risk. It is well worth the fun of experimenting.
Thank you for the honesty. There are too many fabric SNOBS that have no clue as to what some people have available to sew with and can afford. I sadly have caught myself thinking, "YUCK!" when I see the double knit quilts people have made, only because I think of the idea of being hot and sweaty underneath, but if that is what someone has to work with, more power to them for being CREATIVE. Love your videos Leah!
Thank you! I know what you mean about hot quilts. My grandma had a polyester yoyo bedspread that was scratchy as all get out, but I LOVED it! It just made me happy, even though looking back I know that fabric wasn't the best choice. Use what you got and love it, that's the whole point!
Thanks Leah I really appreciate the box analogy and your honesty I made a quilt years ago with bandannas and a sheet backing and it was loved by the person receiving it.Thanks for the info on decorating fabric I had been wondering if it could be used in a quilt.
Anything you want to use can be used! Just make sure it feels good against your skin if it's for a bed quilt. For wall hangings - literally anything goes!
My favorite quilt was made by my grandmother in the 70s. It is a 9 patch made out of polyester suit fabric, the batting is an old cotton blanket and the backing is a used bed sheet. The quilt is tied with acrylic yarn every 6 inches. It has been washed and thrown into the dryer over 100 times and it is just fine. It is easier to criticize people who use 'other' fabric than it is to admit that the thousands of dollars of expensive supplies perfectly curated on a herd of Billy bookcases wasn't necessary.
Yes! I love finding old patchwork quilts from the 70s and they almost always have at least a few pieces of double-knit from somebody’s old pants suit. Gotta love it!!!
My MIL pieced beautiful quilt tops. She was raised in Oklahoma during the times of the dust bowl. She backed all of her quilts with 100% cotton muslin. That’s just what she grew up using and she never changed. Quilts were to use, and you only saw the top when it was on the bed.
When discussing the denseness of batik fabrics, I wonder if the dye makes a difference? I used to work for a small firm that made hand dyed fabric and we noticed that the dye color made some stiffer. All dye was same manufacturer and processed the same way. The base fabric was natural muslin and the results were beautiful. Wish I had purchased more for my stash, as it is no longer available.As to the sheet debate, I liked what you said, if it works, use it. There was a time when some sheets were cotton/poly blend, and I found that if the cotton was 65% or more, the sheets never pilled and wore well. Seems very hard to find now. When mine got thin in areas, I used the best part to make soft nightgowns and I'm still using them 15+ years later. So soft and no wrinkles. However, they are now getting thin and worn.
What I’ve seen at stores like Joanne, is that there is a difference in the quality of the fabric they carry. On the bolts, the majority of it is just beautiful, and just as good to sew with as quilt shop cottons. You do run into some not so good, just be aware of the “hand” of the fabric. However, the prepacked fat quarters are a different story. At Fabricland, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, those fq’s that you see that aren’t cut and packaged at the store, are a much lower thread count and thinner than the rest. Not that you can’t use them, I certainly do, just be aware of the difference.
Love the crochet you are doing. You are so thin. I'm still battling sugar cravings. Congrats on your success. You are so nice to listen to. I agree with your opinions on so many of the subjects you present.
Thank you Linda! The sugar cravings are a daily challenge even now. Make sure to have good alternatives on hand that you can grab instead of candy. I like Larabars and pecans and dried fruit like apples and bananas. These days I'll often just grab an apple and that's enough to fix it. I think the key is also not having sugar in the house so it's not in front of me every time I walk into the kitchen. I might have willpower to refuse once, twice, but probably not the third time!
My grandma hand pieced all her quilts, and quilted by hand over saw horses. Every one she made, and she made at least 70 that I know of, used a bed sheet as a backing. She passed away 15 years ago, and I have several of her quilts she's given to me over the years. A couple are used everyday and are a little thread bare, but every single one is loved, and I wouldn't want them any other way because that was the way she made them.
My grandmother hand quilted and she always added flannel on backs of quilts. That was a time when flannel was a very good product and washed wonderfully. I think I would trust a sheet nowadays over flannel. I made some baby flannel things recently and couldn't believe how much cheaper it is than when my kids were little.
Yes, flannel can be tricky. If you do use it again, just be sure to wash it at least twice in HOT water before cutting it or putting it into a quilt. It seriously shrinks down!
I really liked your thoughts on using multiple fabrics for quilts. One of my first quilts ever was using decorator samples, they were all different weights, colors and textures, it was beautiful! Hard to quilt but a great learning process.
I have been quilting for less than a year and do it all on a small domestic machine I have made a quilt and dog bed out of old denim shirts and curtain fabric backed with an old bed sheet. I have started to use curtain fabric for backs of wall hanging quilts and table cloths it gives them the extra weight they need as I use polyester batting which is very lightweight.
I appreciate your explanation that includes the "why" of the debate about bed-sheets, wouldn't have known it could be an issue for the quilting process, and it didn't occur to me to consider thread count. I'm new to quilting and can relate to how some of the judgement about "big box" fabrics gets started. I used the cheapest Joann's fabric for background on a quilt that required lots of seam matching, and garage sale quilters cotton for the rest...it was very hard for me to get blocks that were square. I didn't know that they have very different "stretch factors" and admit my cutting and seam sewing skills were not as precise as an experienced sewer...so the combination of my skills, and thrifty nature did not help me with this quilt. I've gained a lot of experience from seam ripping and resewing...but given the perspective of hindsight, I wish I had invested in better quality fabric for the "background" which is essential in every block.
Very good points JB! Sometimes you might find yourself in a situation where the materials you're using are limiting your abilities. I'm glad you stuck with it and yes, you learned what to change to make it better next time. Just in case you haven't tried it, I highly recommend prewashing all fabric and starching once for simple quilts and twice for more complexly pieced quilts. The stiffer the fabric, the easier it will be to cut and piece precisely and even if there's a difference in how the different fabrics behave (prints vs solids vs batiks) the washing and starching twice will greatly even the playing field so they play more nicely together. As I said in the video, it's not about not using materials, the trick is just learning HOW to use them and get the results you're after!
Generally I only use, used fabrics or scraps for quilt tops and used sheets for the backs. Quilt them on my antique Singer sewing machine, quilting on the seams only. Quilts with flannel sheets on the back are the most loved. Also quilts with no batting are the 2nd most loved here. An old blanket inside a quilt works too. My sheets for backs come from the Goodwill for $2.59, many are new. Reduce Reuse Recycle. Climate change might be real. :-)
I have seen my grandmother used an old blanket as the batting and backing. I have also seen her use bed sheet as backing. My other grandmother used old polyester fabric. (That thick, heavy fabric that clothes were made from back in the 70's-80's.) These quilts had a bed sheet as the backing. So as you say use what ever you want. Thanks for your opinion. PLAY with your fabrics.
I got a real deal on poly/cotton king sheet set. I pick the seams out then iron out the creases and use them for back for my quilts. I also take apart the pillows and these make great backs for baby quilts. I never knew there were fabric police, good thing I missed that one.
I'm mostly a hand quilter. My last project was backed with an old 400 thread count sheet. I didn't have any problems; however, I use the Ami Simms method of pushing the quilting needle with my thumb.
Thanks for doing this video. I am a beginner quilter and picked up some fat quarter packs from WalMart because I don’t want to spend a ton of money at a quilt shop on expensive fabric. I would rather buy inexpensive cheap material as a beginner.
I didn't realize you crocheted! Beautiful job,,, love improve of any kind and it takes an artist to acheive! Agree with your fabric opinions totally,,, "no rules, no mistakes... only creative opportunities" .........GB
Ha ! I couldn't afford to do quilting if I didn't have access to the second hand shops . Have always used sheets , and just to shock you even more , old duvet covers as well as threadbare blankets for the wadding $3 - $6 beats paying between $40-$50 per metre for woollen wadding . The recipients are mostly very grateful . Also many sheets are sold with matching pillow cases . Go figure !!!!! Thanks for your informative posts xxp
You're super welcome and thank you for sharing. I love using old fleece blankets as the batting - they hold up great, are super warm, and extend the life of a really abused quilt by decades!
My daughter had a box full of her past, slinky club hopping tops that she gave me. A quilter friend told me there was no way you could use the material from them in a quilt - she was very wrong. Did some QAYG crazy quilts that turned out beautiful and rich looking.
My opinion as an old lady who has seen and used a myriad of types of quilts is: You do you! Is your quilt going to the quilt shows and not being entered in the rustic categories? Then you might not want to use a sheet for the backing. Is your quilt a finely and carefully pieced top? Same answer. Is it a quilt you are making to keep your butt warm in cold weather? Is it a folk artsy quilt where anything goes? Is it a scrappy quilt using a variety of fabric? Well, then be my guest. You might not want a sheet with a high thread count is all. I have used them and will again. Probably for my current scrappy project from old clothing and various scraps I had or have found. It has corduroy, denim, flannel, quilt scraps, mask scraps, bargain bin mystery content fabric. So, the backing need not be yardage purchased at a premium price. A sheet, which I might dye to suit, will be just fine for a backing. My other project which is a flying goose pattern and of lower end brands of quilting cotton, probably not. I will probably get some yardage of the same brand. I am on a budget. You do you. Our ancestors used whatever was available and they could afford to make quilts and some very fine ones and some very rustic ones still survive today. Is it fancy home decor or a cover to keep your butt warm? I make both. So, to each their own and you should watch the videos filmed at quilt shows both in the US and in England. You will see works of fine art and some very rustic and unique creations and all are worthy of hanging in the show and being appreciated. So, it is your choice as a quilter. Just know the backing fabric can make or break a quilt. Sheets are just fine and a good choice for some quilts and terrible choices for others. It all depends. Happy quilting.
I found some beautiful twin size sheet sets and was thinking about using them in a quilt. I was going to try a block first by using the pillowcases in the set. Have any of you used microfiber sheet fabric for a quilt before and if so, what are your opinions on it?
I used micro fiber in an adorable whale print in the piecing on a quilt. I loved the look, but it is kind of a nightmare to work with. It frays and snags really easy, and it is hard to iron if it's sewn to cotton. However my daughter used a microfiber sheet as a backing and it wasn't quite as bad. Personally I won't use it again, but it does offer fun prints.
Doing a Cathedral Window with a white sheet for the background was a mistake I made. Not accounting for the high thread count I paid for it with very sore fingers when hand work was called for. It ended up a nice table runner but I won't do that again. Watch for thread count and pattern specifics. Lessons learned are great.
Hi Leah and quilting friends. Wanted to share my thoughts for sheets in quilting. I used a sheet for the batting of my throw size quilt. I am new to quilting and before this I had only made one quilt. I have been watching your channel for about a year now and after several months of learning I finally pushed my fears aside and jumped right in. I made a Christmas present for my grandson. It was an " I Spy" quilt. It was a simple 5" squares sewn together with light quilting (X on each square). I didn't like the way it DIDNT drape around him. It was stiff, so I'm not sure if it was the batting or the backing. I ordered the backing online and I don't know if it was 100% cotton or not. Truth be told that was probably the problem, but anyway I didn't like that it DIDNT drape around him. My second and last so far is a throw size quilt and I used a pieced top of quilting cotton and backing was muslin. The inside "batting" was a king size sheet (1600 ct Egyptian cotton) folded in half and then in half again. That made top and backing 2 layers plus 4 layers of sheet. I didn't have any problem sewing through the layers with a simple singer from Wal-Mart and a regular foot. Needless to say I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE WAY IT TURNED OUT. It drapes and snugs the body perfectly and is heavy enough to keep you warm. I've had several quilting friends say "I've never thought of that, or I've never heard of that, I will have to try it" so if you want a throw or quilt that is perfect for cuddling up in to watch a movie, and drapes around you and you don't have to tuck around to keep it where you want it, try a sheet for batting you just might love it. I do have a question, and any and all advice is welcomed. I am a brand new quilter and I want my quilts to wrinkle up and be soft, cozy, and look like and older quilt, but I have no idea which batting to use to make that happen. Any suggestions? Leah, I love the sweater by the way. It's beautiful and shows your creativity well. Happy quilting everyone.
100% cotton batting shrinks the most. I use Pellon from WalMart, it is the best price and works very well. I sometimes use the Pellon 80/20 which also shrinks but not as much as the 100%.
Yep, Rachel has it right - 100% cotton batting will shrink up nicely. Most likely the quilt that was stiff will soften up with a few washings. It was probably a combo of how much quilting you did and the batting. You really don't need very much quilting these days. Some battings allow you to get away with just lines spaced 8 inches apart!
I agree with many commenters here. Fabric police?? Pfft. They don't get the history of the craft. The pioneer women worked with what they had and would probably roll in their graves at the thought! Many of us are on a budget. I ALWAYS use 2nd hand flat sheets as backings. It's upcycling and keeping those sheets out of the landfills! My quilts are filled with so much love, and no snobbery! I aim for 100% cotton, but sometimes I use cotton/poly if the sheet seems of good quality and is a print I love. I love your attitude about quilting. It should be a craft of love, not status. If you can afford the quilt shop cotton, cool! Go for it. If not sheets, shirts or what ever can work, and batting can be pricy, so use a 2nd hand blanket. It all works. It should be fun!
I love how soft sheets get as they age. Sometimes the higher quality cotton fabric is so stiff and rough, it takes years for it to become soft and cuddly!
When we talk about price, who wants to pay those high prices? I make a treasure hunt of buying fabric. I find the fabric I love and look all over the internet until I cheapest. I, also use bedsheets on the back of my quilts. I just make sure they are of good quality. I love using flannel all the time for backs. My family loves it! It is so cuddly. Stop worry ing what the crowd says and enjoy making quilts.
From a seasoned quilter....a bed sheet is fine, unless you're hand quilting. The sheet has a high thread count and really tough on the fingers and wrists to hand quilt through. As quilters/knitters/crafters, we really need to think about our body....we want things to last for a really long time.
You have to be careful with too sharp of a needle as it will cut the thread instead of push between the weave. The ball point is for weave and if it is very tight weave a dull ball point needle may not push through the weave. A needle for leather is very sharp and pointed to cut through the leather but if you use a leather needle on a weave it cuts the thread and then your material can pull apart. You are correct that each person must decide what it is they want to do. This is an art form so there is no wrong way just a different way. I mostly sew leather and denim and only started learning about quilting. My mother made a lot of quilts and so I know a little about it and want to learn more.
@@LeahDay You are welcome. I see a lot of people , on the internet, sewing on a treadle and they go from a netted and weave to leather all with the same needle and so I thought I would let everyone know what I found out. I used a leather needle on a netted weave and when I pulled on the material is came apart like it had be cut where the needle had gone through the material. When you use a ball point needle on leather it is hard on the machine and the needle, and can break a needle on leather. I recommend that everyone should have a good strong small magnifying glass to see the needle tip. You can see a ball point is different than a leather tip that has a knife like tip with two sides and the end very sharp. The standard sharp needle is round and pointed. You can see this if you have a strong enough magnifying glass. I also have a very fine stone sharpener that I sharpen the needles with. With a little practice you can fix a bent or dull point. I tried using cheap needs from the dollar store and found that they break more often, they don't have the slot for the thread in the needle like the better needles and the hole is not as smooth and can fray the thread until it breaks. I hope this helps.
I was also told not to use sheets. Anyway, I like print fabric & it’s hard to find single print sheets. I love vintage sheets but I keep those for skirts, pajamas or slips. One thing that also worries me about using sheets is pilling. I normally buy cotton sheets but I have 1 or 2 that are poly/cotton that didn’t pill and 1 that did. Does anyone know if there is a way to test a new sheet? I dislike microfiber sheets so I won’t use those.
I honestly have no idea. I think it's the luck of the draw with pilling. I had 100% quilter's cotton from a quilt shop pill on me once so I think it's just something that can happen sometimes. It might have even been the batting in my case...
Hey Leah it would be more wonderful, if this was a dress it seem to me as you have it on your model like a dress, oh how beautiful it is with all those bold colour for the summer I love it
Except that would make for either a very hot summer dress or a very cold winter dress! Right now it will hit above the thigh around the level of a tunic which will be perfect for a fall to spring sweater.
Thanks for sharing this! I totally agree with you.. experimenting and not limiting the kinds of fabrics to use for quilting allows us to be more creative. I did my first quilt top a few months ago and the fabrics that I used were my husband’s old jeans and a cotton fabric from a thrift store (instagram.com/p/BbVpl6kDH_H/). I’m excited to start to quilt it, just waiting to purchase myself a quilting machine. The machine that I used to sew the top is my husband’s grandma’s vintage machine! The top is not perfect at all.. but hey, nothing should stop us from playing with fabrics and quilts or other crafts. 🤗
This is a crochet hook with an extension just in case I wanted to add some Tunsian Crochet. It also has a pointy hook which makes pulling through lots of loops a bit easier.
I think that's fine and I've often used old flannel sheets as batting. Because they've obviously already been washed many times, you don't have to worry about shrinkage or dye bleeding.
I have used cotton bed sheets as a backing on all the quilts I have made and never had an issue. Most of my quilting has been done by hand. I have found that my hands ache regardless of the thread count or needle size simply because I am quilting a large area. Not everyone can afford expensive fabric all the time. People should stop being so judgemental.
After quilting for 29 years, I just finished a quilt using a flat sheet for the backing for the first time. I am extremely pleased with the results! I used a 100% cotton twin sheet that my kids used for years when they were young. It was washed hundreds of times and was very soft but not worn out at all. At the time of purchase, it was a very good quality sheet (expensive) but I loved the design and it was on sale. It was a dream to quilt through on my domestic machine and the bonus is that it brings back memories of my babies whenever I see it!
That's terrific Renee! You not only have added a great memory to your quilt, but it's also going to be super soft on the back too!
Leah you are a breath of fresh air! I almost gave up on quilting when I first went on line to learn and joined some quilting groups. The snobbery and meanness I ran into about everything from fabric to machines to needles to thread was discouraging. I didn't want to associate with a community like that. I've learned on my own all the things you are addressing here. Yes I'm still quilting and today I am finishing my rainbow log cabin quilt with a nice flat sheet.
nancy pollard Did you get involved in quilt gilds , I have been thinking about it but I’m not great at this yet just looking for an opinion. Thanks
Linda Kochis oh I just follow a few groups on Facebook and some of them are pretty nasty at times.
That's great Nancy! You have to find your crowd with quilting online and there are a lot of quilters spreading around a lot of limiting beliefs. I have to wonder how many quilts they're making!
Fantastic video, Leah. Use whatever fabrics you want to use and don’t care about what others think! Of course, you have to consider the reason for the quilt (daily use, showing, etc.) but otherwise there are no rules. Period. The quilting world has changed so much over the years. I have been quilting for 30 years (since I was 23!) and for many of those,, of course, there was no online community. In all of those years, I was only a member of one organized group for two years (a local guild that met in the evenings) and, for all of the other years, I’ve been a solitary quilter. Our local guilds meet in the morning and I work. In the past 15 years, I’ve watched it all unfold online (new conventions, modern quilting, blogs, millions of opinions, etc.) but I’ve watched from the sidelines. As things have progressed, I’ve just always done my own thing. I had a small fabric stash and, after using up most of it for a scrappy quilting I’m currently making for my niece, I have NO fabric stash! It amazes me to see these bloggers with thousands of dollars worth of trendy fabrics and I sometimes wonder if they are truly quilters or fabric collectors! The best advice I can give to you and everyone else is to make quilts the way you want with the fabrics you want to make them with. This will lead to a happy quilting life!
I worked in a nursing home and did a project with our residents. Since our people grew up in the depression we wanted to do something from that time frame, Being a nursing home what did we have a lot of, scrubs, they get thrown out but some parts of them are good so we cut them up and made quilts out of them. Our residents loved it and keep telling us about their childhood and the quilts their grandma or mother made for them. We raffled off the quilts to make money for extra outings. They loved it and there is nothing wrong with using quilts made from these scrubs. I now make walker bags for our rehab unit and yes you guessed it, out of scrubs. They are well received.
Picture hands clapping. My parents went through the depression. Learned frugal ways from them, including how to recycle the best of the worn into quilts. Good to hear those scrubs didn't make it to landfills. That at least portions of them will have a much longer useful life.
It ain't about "global cooling" that became "global warming" that evolved into "climate change". It's simply about being good stewards of what we have in life. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you for your kind words
That's wonderful Joyce! I'm so happy to hear that!
This is such a cool idea!! And scrubs are so tough, yet soft. As you know, stains come with the job, but you don't want to wear stained clothes to work, so I bet there are ghastly amount that don't get a econd life and end up in the landfill. It would be wonderful if more reued their scrubs in this way, and for nursing home residents to boot! I wonder if anyone is doing this elewhere--I mean, I see an etsy and ebay opportunity, here...
Thank you for saying this!!!! I get so upset and disgusted when I see people telling someone in person or online they are less because they use box store fabric or any fabric they want. Yes that is what judgment does....it makes people feel bad! So use what u want, if it stretches or is slippy stabalize it. Have fun. We are only here for a small amount of time. Enjoy! Build others up dont tear them down.
That's exactly right! We want more people making and creating, not less!
So true! Can you imagine going to Gee’s Bend and telling the quilters in the community what fabrics to use? It’s insanity. Quilts were first utilitarian in nature with art incorporated later. Don’t ever tell an artist what medium they can or cannot work in!
I love that you are not a fabric snob and accept other fabrics for quilts. Historically, women made quilts with whatever they could get their hands on and some of those are not only around today but have monetary value. There are also many people living in communities where there are no fabric stores and are many hours drive to get to one. They too use whatever they can get their hands on whether it is old clothing or bedsheets.
Exactly! I have a friend who has started quilting and she lives in Papua New Guinea - No quilt shops, but lots of second hand shop around!
Exactly! I'm so glad you liked this episode Debi!
I live in Tennessee but not close to a quilt shop. I buy from box stores, thrift stores, and order online.
I may be able to splurge once in a while to buy top designer fabric, but don't. I see it as wasting my money. I have bought quilt shop fabric on sale before. I actually have a hard time telling the difference.
Some of the fabrics at Lobby and JoAnn are good quality. They have some less favorable fabric, too. You just have to look no matter where you buy fabric.
Here's a debate....some people have used old blankets for batting as well. What do you think of this. Let's not forgot in the old days, quilts weren't made from fabric from the quilt shop down the street, they used whatever they had available to them.
My mother and others used old blankets as batting. Over time blankets can become threadbare. Sandwiched inside a quilt, they're ready to begin their second useful life. Well quilted, they do standup fine to the rigors of daily use on beds during cold winters.
I have a few quilts with old blankets in the middle! They're holding up great, mostly because the blanket was so stable!
My mom used 3 storebought blankets to make me a heavy blanket to take to college. I have since taken it apart and am using each blanket for the batting in quilts for my kids to take to college. The first 2 turned out fabulous and survived college, the last one needs to be ready to go in 2019!
@@christinecapece5401 I love this! What a cool memory for each kid, too.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful insight. I’m new to quilting and on a very tight budget. I made a crazy quilt using leftover scarps. I called it my ccc quilt Corona crazy quilt. I had a extra flat sheet and wanted to see if it was okay to use. So I accidentally come across this debate 🤨 so thanks again for your common sense information 😁
My initiation into quilting was through a church group making charity quilts for children. My experience was 8th grade home economics. I was the person who designed and pieced quilt tops. I didn't know any rules so I used whatever fabric was least expensive including thrift store finds, Walmart sales and bed sheets.
Thank you for sharing Debra!
Preach it, Sister. Preach it.
Sadly, many who set those "rules" have not studied textile history. They've never taken the time to learn what our forefathers (and mothers) did to put clothing on people and beds. Not likely they've ever seen a boll of cotton, carded wool, nor processed flax. In past times woven goods (fabrics) were precious and nothing went to waste. Average people couldn't buy yardage just to make quilts. Didn't weave for the primary usage of making quilts, if I understand history correctly.
Born of depression era parents, in the rural south, the quilts I saw were made from scrap fabrics. Scraps leftover from making clothing. Good parts of worn out clothing were saved for quilts, too. Just as people today, save the good parts of worn out jeans for reuse, the same was done with shirts, dresses, etc. I know. I watched my mother make quilts from scraps. She used a treadle sewing machine. I loved to play with the treadle. It was easier for her to teach me how to sew. Kept me busy and she had some help.
My mother in law's mother still had a quilting frame. Both of them quilted, first on treadles, then on electric machines. In later years my mother in law started buying backing fabrics. Prior to then, both sides of the quilts of all 3 ladies mentioned were pieced on BOTH sides. I still have a few of their quilts.
At least 2 of them have blankets, inside, instead of batting. Also, I recognize the weave of "flour sack" and "feed sack" fabrics in some of the squares. Animal feed used to come in fabric bags printed as modern quilting cotton is today. Those fabrics were a treasure and prized for clothing and various linens, including quilts.
It is a fairly modern concept of having thermostats to control whole house heating and cooling. Back when I was a kid, bedrooms were cold during the winter. Quilts were a necessity. (In my area wool blankets were not common for several reasons.) Quilts PRIMARY purpose was for warmth on cold winter nights. For the average person, quilts were made for function first and foremost. Second, was beauty, art and possibly a blue ribbon at the county fair.
That said, quilting is an art. It is a skill and there are master craftsmen (persons) who can take this art to the highest levels achievable with fibers. With the fibers available for usage by each person picking up a needle. IMO, beauty can be achieved on any medium whether it's the finest silk from the Orient or a feed sack from a grain mill. Each should be judged on its own merit. Not on an "artificial" rule someone dreamed up that the only good quilt is the one that meets his or her standards.
Thanks for the discussion. Thanks for listening to this old timer.
Oldtimer Lee Flour also came in printed sacks. I purchased it until the late 50's and used the fabric to sew with. I learned to sew with my grandmother helping me and spent lots of time with her treadle machine. I also spent time playing under the quilting frame while friends and relatives quilted. I know how quilts were made and most were what would now be looked down on. They kept me warm in winter and gave me a place to nap in the summer.
Well spoken. "They kept me warm in winter and gave me a place to nap in summer." -- The reason they were created!
Exactly! I grew up with a wood stove to heat the house and by the morning the fire would always burn down so the rooms were always cold. There is simply nothing as wonderful as three heavy quilts layered on top to keep the chill out. I love it!
A good feather bed adds a lot of comfort to a winter night. We used coal to heat and that would stay banked all night. I laugh when people tell me that I can't do things that were common when I was a child. They have no idea of how people lived in the not so distant past.
I like to use old scrubs from thrift stores for my quilts. You can find some really neat novelty prints.
love this!!! I definitely have some new ideas from this.
Years ago I read an article about a quilter that was asked to make a replica of an antique banner or wall hanging to hang in a museum. She looked high and low for the right color and finally found the perfect fabric color at walmart...she bought yards of it! My immediate thought was: If she can use walmart fabric in a museum quilt I can certainly use it in mine!!!
LOL! Exactly! I love this story!
Leah, really enjoyed this subject. I’ve just recently started quilting myself, and I honestly appreciate anyone that gives a thumbs up on using what works for an individuals budget. It’s the same for knitting/crocheters. People that criticize those that use big box store brands over the more expensive indie dyers, irritate me to know end. Thanks for keeping it real.- Maureen
Thank you Maureen! It drives me nuts when I find a knitting or crochet book designed for beginners, but using all expensive, hard to find, and quickly out of date yarn. What is wrong with the yarn readily available that never goes out of style or stock? Another soap box for another day!
Now that I know that flat sheets can be use on the backing of the quilt I'm going to start right on it, thank you so much you are a blessing to us all, continue take care of yourself and your love ones
Thank you! I'm so glad you found this helpful!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for telling me to go ahead and use a bed sheet! I am retired and living on a fixed income so I really don't have the extra money to afford the "quilt shop quality" fabric. I can't wait to see how the quilt turns out using the bed sheet as backing!
I love your “no nonsense” practical approach to quilting. Unless it is on sale, I cant (or won’t) pay the high cost of fabric from most quilt shops. It’s beautiful, but out of my reach. I even use $1.00 bandannas for crafting projects like cosmetic bags, purses, potholders, and key fobs/lanyards. People love the prints. Your teaching style is refreshing.
Thank you Freda! I'm keeping with my practical grandma's advice and she was super frugal and always made things to last.
When I first started quilting 30ish years ago I made my dad (knowing he would love whatever I made) a through. He used it for many years. I used a single bed sheet that someone gave me. I don't know if it was 100% cotton or not because I just don't remember. As he aged with his illnesses the through he kept on the back of his recliner was heavily used. Now 30ish years later the binding is getting a little thin. This quilt was loved a lot. That's why I make quilts.
Aw! That is so sweet Candy. I completely agree - it doesn't really matter what you make the quilt out of. Just make it and love it and if you have to, add another backing to it so it can continue to be used and loved some more.
My late sister loved to quilt but she was not working so she used sheets on the back because it was more affordable for her.
Thank you for sharing Janet!
I made a queen size quilt 18 years ago (with no quilting experience or youtube) for my sister using polyester and poly/cotton fabric from my mothers stash. It was the pattern on the fabrics that inspired me and not the fabric type. I cut into 5" squares and pieced them together. I backed it with a poly/cotton sheet (from WalMart) and tacked the quilt with yarn. My sister still uses the quilt in the winter months here in Canada and it washes well and looks great. Thank you for the info!!
That's excellent! It doesn't matter what we don't know. What matters is doing what we want to DO!
Thank you! Do what makes you happy with quilting or anything for that matter and cut out toxic people who choose to criticize instead of uplifting others.
Exactly! I'm glad you enjoyed this video!
Love how you explained about 'so and so might have put herself in a box'. So spot on!
Yep! Been there, done that with another craft. I'm never going to get stuck in a box again!
The sweater is beautiful, like lava and sound waves all together! Boy are you an artist!! Now a days if a quilter uses clothes of loved ones for a quilt its called a "memory" quilt when in fact that's what quilters made quilts out of for need of warmth.
The other nice thing about bedsheets being used as backing is no seams down the back unless the quilt is bigger than the sheet.
Thank you Patrice!
And it's a lot cheaper than backing fabric by the yard!
You are a girl after my own heart! All my quilts are made from used fabric from charity shops (or I cannibalise my wardrobe) as buying new is not an option money-wise. I like to tell myself that if I was using brand new 'proper' quilting cotton I'd be a fantastic quilter, as there are definite problems with using different weights of fabric in the same quilt. But hey! I want to make quilts, so that's what I use. And thanks for drilling it in to me about the starching. Things improved a lot when I started OTT starching. I make my own and fill used spray bottles.
That's wonderful! I'm so glad you found the starching tip helpful!
As a longarm quilter for the public I totally understand the need for using bed sheets....in my opinion as long as it’s the same fabric (cotton) I say go for it. I’ve had several problems when the sheets aren’t square or they still have the turned edges. Just today I quilted a quilt top and the backing was a silky, stretchy bed sheet for the backing. It ended up being a bit of a hassle during the rolling process, but I managed to get the job done regardless. My other issue would be if you’ve spent lots of money AND time on a quilt top then why would you want to use a low thread count backing. BUT I understand when my clients might have to use bedsheets so I just try to educate them on the different qualities of the bed sheets. A lot of those who I’ve mentioned this to have been very grateful for my help.
Thank you so much for sharing Tiffanee! I really appreciate you weighing in on this topic as a professional longarmer. It's so good to know that this is working out just fine for you and your customers.
I really appreciate your kind words and advice. I have been quilting for some time but felt intimidated by 'some' opinions of quilters. I love making quilts to actually use. Beauty comes in many forms. I admire your talents and gifted quilting. To hear your take on this means so much. Your heart and quilts are beautiful. Thank you so much ❤❤❤
Thank you Janice! I'm so glad you enjoyed this video!
I usually use sheets on the back because I do not like to piece the back. The fact that it is more cost effective is nice too! I’ve never had a problem.
Perfect! Use what works!
I also like the idea of bed sheets as backing or in the top and when giving the quilt as a gift ( or for yourself) give a sheet set of the same as in the quilt. There’s nothing like giving or getting a whole coordinating bed set and quilt.
Ooo! That's a cool idea! Definitely takes the gift up another notch with everything matching!
Very cool idea!!!
God Bless you Leah. My Grandmother and Aunt worked in a men wool suit factory, At the end of the day they would go thru the throw away boxes and take fabric for quilts. They used wool, sheet blankets for batting, and flannel for backing, I still have one of those quilts and have used it many times when it was really cold. I love it, and who cares what it was made from.
Exactly! Use what you have on hand!
I agree, experiment with fabric. My very 1st quilt I made with 50/50 cotton/poly blend sheeting, polyester material and lawn, - there was no you-tube and I made my own templates. It was well loved and washed lots and did fall apart, but I learnt a lot from the process. When my kids were young I made quilts with cross stitch Aida fabric (over 15 years ago) - I sewed white fabric onto the back of each Aida block to help protect the cross stitch. My kids used these quilts every day and they were washed frequently - they are still in one piece today and put away as heirlooms in a cupboard. So to all quilters - have fun, experiment, enjoy the process of trying something new - think outside the box, and make your own rules.
Exactly! The point is the making and the loving. There's nothing like being wrapped up in a quilt and know the person that made it loved what they were doing.
Thank you for this thought sometimes I have my favorite material and then can’t afford the backing thank you so much
I've made quilts (simple ones) with upholstery fabric. They are a little stiff at first but are great for weighted blankets. My husband favourite is one of my upholstery fabric quilts with a bed sheet backing and he has used for 15 plus years.
That is wonderful to hear! Thank you for sharing!
I’m a newbie quilter in the general scheme of things and before I knew there were “rules”, I did use flannel sheets to back a few of my early quilts. I love them and they were not difficult to machine quilt (two with a walking foot and one free motion). They are easy to wash, get used a lot and are super cuddly!
That's wonderful!
FYI Leah, I recently pieced and longarmed a quilt made with flannel 10" precut squares, flannel backing and a flannel bed sheet (bought at a thrift store!) for the "batting"! I'm very pleased with it, it's quite cozy and I can't wait for it to get a little broken in!
That's great! Than you for sharing!
My wonderful Grandmother had 8 children, 5 were boys. She used whatever was available to make quilts. Worn out jeans and clothes, flour sacks, threadbare blankets as batting, you name it. I remember in my youth watching a circle of ladies passing the needle around on the quilt frame that hung from the ceiling ( it was pullied up to the ceiling at night). Both my grandmothers lived next door to each other in thier later years and collaborated on many wonderful quilts, using whatever and quilted on that pull-down frame. After they were gone, I inherited a big bag of pre-cut fabric, destined for a rail fence quilt I am sure. There was everything, poly, corduroy, thin prints, you name it, you could even see the pencil lines used to mark them for cutting. They made some of the most beautiful, well loved, well worn quilts and i am proud to say I have a few of them. Those ladies are my examples to follow.
My great grandmother also quilted on a suspended frame! She had 8 sisters and they would get together every Sunday night to quilt together. Sadly no one ever thought to snap a picture of them. I wonder if the pulley system was sold by frame manufacturers? I'm curious now because your story sounds so similar to mine. That's wonderful that you inherited so many amazing quilts!
what cool memories...
I like the idea of using a sheet for backing fabric and have done it myself. Just think, as you said, it’s a little more economical to buy a sheet vs. cotton fabric and the sheets come in the size to fit the bed you are quilting for with no seams in back side where we usually have to splice them together. Love it. As a matter of fact, I have a sheet ready to go for my next quilt.
Perfect! I'm so glad to hear you've tried this and it's worked well for you!
My mom made quilts from sheets about 40 years ago. Beside having her memories in them they are still soo soo soft still and no problems with them despite many washings.
That's wonderful! I'm so glad you're still using these super soft, well loved quilts!
Truth!!! I love your perspectives! I started quilting because my MIL told me it wasn't possible to turn my t-shirts into a quilt because it wouldn't be stable. That was more than 20 years and 200 t-shirt quilts later! 90% of my customers request t-shirt/clothing/memory quilts and I do it! I've even put chunky sweaters in quilts, and it worked! After testing many interfacing options, my favorite is a woven fusible like Shape Flex.
See! You can't believe everything you hear. That sounds wonderful and it's great that you're helping so many people make memory quilts!
We used to have an outlet store near us. I could get queen sized flat sheets for $2.00. I used them to back summer quilts for our beds. They were perfect for when it was cool and you needed a light weight cover and the sheet backing didn't make you sweaty. I miss that outlet.
That sounds perfect! I have to try this, especially for summer quilts. I bet it was satin or sateen that always feels a bit cool.
I am old....😂😂😂. Old enough to be your Mom. I feel sooo lucky to be living in the age of internet! I agree totally. I use it EVERY DAY. I watched You Tube to teach myself to quilt. I’ve found so much pleasure from crafting. ( thank YOU for all of your help). I’ve learned how to grow Succulents, new patterns for needle works, help with quilting questions. I use it to preview books I want to read and the list goes on. 👍🏻😁. Love your work. Your quilting videos are ASMR for me. Thanks!
AW! Thank you Vickie!
well said, At age 60 I learned to can and use an all american canner by watching you tube. I also learned how to install a shower, do electrical and framing this way. And of course how to quilt.
You are a ray of sunshine, Leah😊. Early in our marriage, my husband commented on a bedroom set we saw. I searched high and low and finally found it at an outlet a few years later. It was on clearance so I bought all the sheets they had so I could make coordinating items and in case the originals wore out. Fast forward 20 years...we have changed to a king sized bed and I recently rediscovered my sheet stash in the attic. I wanted to make a king sized quilt for my hubby as a love gift but was discouraged by the feedback I was getting. You have given me the courage to try! Thank you! Also, when you’re talking about stabilizing tshirt fabric what is the product you use? Is it fringe or French, and would you ever back a throw sized quilt with minky? Thanks so much!!!
Great questions! The stabilizer I use is French Fuse and I believe Josh will be cutting more later this week. Yes, I've used Minky over a few bed quilts and several throw quilts and I LOVE it. So soft and cuddly!
I used a cheap bed sheet to make a bed skirt. The sheet went over the box spring, and I got quilt fabric to put around the bed, sewn to the bed sheet. It kinda matches the quilt I made for the bed, and looks fine. So you can make a matching bed skit to go with the quilt. And the sheets are sturdier than the material made in commercial bed skirts. I put a sheet one a commercial bed skirt to make it last longer.
That's great! Thank you for sharing Susan!
At Christmas time last year, I wandered into the dressy apparel fabric section at JoAnn’s. I used metallics in gold, silver, and white, along with other fabric for star wall hangings. It was fun. Not everything turned out well as some of the fabric had a tendency to ravel and fray. But it was a learning experience and something I can keep in mind for the future by either figuring out how to deal with the fraying or look for a different fabric. The key is to be aware that potential problems may arise and be ready to accept that risk. It is well worth the fun of experimenting.
That's wonderful! See - you learned something, had some fun, and make something funky and new!
Thank you for the honesty. There are too many fabric SNOBS that have no clue as to what some people have available to sew with and can afford. I sadly have caught myself thinking, "YUCK!" when I see the double knit quilts people have made, only because I think of the idea of being hot and sweaty underneath, but if that is what someone has to work with, more power to them for being CREATIVE. Love your videos Leah!
Thank you! I know what you mean about hot quilts. My grandma had a polyester yoyo bedspread that was scratchy as all get out, but I LOVED it! It just made me happy, even though looking back I know that fabric wasn't the best choice. Use what you got and love it, that's the whole point!
Thanks Leah I really appreciate the box analogy and your honesty I made a quilt years ago with bandannas and a sheet backing and it was loved by the person receiving it.Thanks for the info on decorating fabric I had been wondering if it could be used in a quilt.
Anything you want to use can be used! Just make sure it feels good against your skin if it's for a bed quilt. For wall hangings - literally anything goes!
My favorite quilt was made by my grandmother in the 70s. It is a 9 patch made out of polyester suit fabric, the batting is an old cotton blanket and the backing is a used bed sheet. The quilt is tied with acrylic yarn every 6 inches. It has been washed and thrown into the dryer over 100 times and it is just fine.
It is easier to criticize people who use 'other' fabric than it is to admit that the thousands of dollars of expensive supplies perfectly curated on a herd of Billy bookcases wasn't necessary.
Amen!
LOL! I hear you!
Yes! I love finding old patchwork quilts from the 70s and they almost always have at least a few pieces of double-knit from somebody’s old pants suit. Gotta love it!!!
My MIL pieced beautiful quilt tops. She was raised in Oklahoma during the times of the dust bowl. She backed all of her quilts with 100% cotton muslin. That’s just what she grew up using and she never changed. Quilts were to use, and you only saw the top when it was on the bed.
Thank you for sharing!
I agree, have fun and make some LOVE.
Definitely!
When discussing the denseness of batik fabrics, I wonder if the dye makes a difference? I used to work for a small firm that made hand dyed fabric and we noticed that the dye color made some stiffer. All dye was same manufacturer and processed the same way. The base fabric was natural muslin and the results were beautiful. Wish I had purchased more for my stash, as it is no longer available.As to the sheet debate, I liked what you said, if it works, use it. There was a time when some sheets were cotton/poly blend, and I found that if the cotton was 65% or more, the sheets never pilled and wore well. Seems very hard to find now. When mine got thin in areas, I used the best part to make soft nightgowns and I'm still using them 15+ years later. So soft and no wrinkles. However, they are now getting thin and worn.
I am so with you on the sheets and fabric stores. I buy from many different stores. I love them all.
Perfect!
What I’ve seen at stores like Joanne, is that there is a difference in the quality of the fabric they carry. On the bolts, the majority of it is just beautiful, and just as good to sew with as quilt shop cottons. You do run into some not so good, just be aware of the “hand” of the fabric. However, the prepacked fat quarters are a different story. At Fabricland, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, those fq’s that you see that aren’t cut and packaged at the store, are a much lower thread count and thinner than the rest. Not that you can’t use them, I certainly do, just be aware of the difference.
Great information, I have used sheets early on in my quilting and they are still in use after 40 years.
That's great to hear!
I think that was awesome of you to share. I really appreciate your attitude towards choosing fabrics. Thanks 😊
Thank you Christine!
Love the crochet you are doing. You are so thin. I'm still battling sugar cravings. Congrats on your success. You are so nice to listen to. I agree with your opinions on so many of the subjects you present.
Thank you Linda! The sugar cravings are a daily challenge even now. Make sure to have good alternatives on hand that you can grab instead of candy. I like Larabars and pecans and dried fruit like apples and bananas. These days I'll often just grab an apple and that's enough to fix it. I think the key is also not having sugar in the house so it's not in front of me every time I walk into the kitchen. I might have willpower to refuse once, twice, but probably not the third time!
My grandma hand pieced all her quilts, and quilted by hand over saw horses. Every one she made, and she made at least 70 that I know of, used a bed sheet as a backing. She passed away 15 years ago, and I have several of her quilts she's given to me over the years. A couple are used everyday and are a little thread bare, but every single one is loved, and I wouldn't want them any other way because that was the way she made them.
That is wonderful! Definitely hold onto these quilts and teach your kids how to care for them properly so they last for another generation.
My grandmother hand quilted and she always added flannel on backs of quilts. That was a time when flannel was a very good product and washed wonderfully. I think I would trust a sheet nowadays over flannel. I made some baby flannel things recently and couldn't believe how much cheaper it is than when my kids were little.
Yes, flannel can be tricky. If you do use it again, just be sure to wash it at least twice in HOT water before cutting it or putting it into a quilt. It seriously shrinks down!
I really liked your thoughts on using multiple fabrics for quilts. One of my first quilts ever was using decorator samples, they were all different weights, colors and textures, it was beautiful! Hard to quilt but a great learning process.
That's excellent Denise! Where there's a will, there's a way!
I have been quilting for less than a year and do it all on a small domestic machine I have made a quilt and dog bed out of old denim shirts and curtain fabric backed with an old bed sheet. I have started to use curtain fabric for backs of wall hanging quilts and table cloths it gives them the extra weight they need as I use polyester batting which is very lightweight.
Wonderful! That sounds beautiful!
Looks like it’s very relaxing I love it
February 9, 3:00; thank you Leah. Great information and you are the sweetest!!! God bless.
You are so welcome!
I appreciate your explanation that includes the "why" of the debate about bed-sheets, wouldn't have known it could be an issue for the quilting process, and it didn't occur to me to consider thread count. I'm new to quilting and can relate to how some of the judgement about "big box" fabrics gets started. I used the cheapest Joann's fabric for background on a quilt that required lots of seam matching, and garage sale quilters cotton for the rest...it was very hard for me to get blocks that were square. I didn't know that they have very different "stretch factors" and admit my cutting and seam sewing skills were not as precise as an experienced sewer...so the combination of my skills, and thrifty nature did not help me with this quilt. I've gained a lot of experience from seam ripping and resewing...but given the perspective of hindsight, I wish I had invested in better quality fabric for the "background" which is essential in every block.
Very good points JB! Sometimes you might find yourself in a situation where the materials you're using are limiting your abilities. I'm glad you stuck with it and yes, you learned what to change to make it better next time. Just in case you haven't tried it, I highly recommend prewashing all fabric and starching once for simple quilts and twice for more complexly pieced quilts. The stiffer the fabric, the easier it will be to cut and piece precisely and even if there's a difference in how the different fabrics behave (prints vs solids vs batiks) the washing and starching twice will greatly even the playing field so they play more nicely together. As I said in the video, it's not about not using materials, the trick is just learning HOW to use them and get the results you're after!
Generally I only use, used fabrics or scraps for quilt tops and used sheets for the backs. Quilt them on my antique Singer sewing machine, quilting on the seams only. Quilts with flannel sheets on the back are the most loved. Also quilts with no batting are the 2nd most loved here. An old blanket inside a quilt works too. My sheets for backs come from the Goodwill for $2.59, many are new. Reduce Reuse Recycle. Climate change might be real. :-)
Thank you for sharing Donna!
Donna F Hi Donna how do you quilt without the batting
I have a Handi Quilter Avante and have used sheets as backing several times with no issues. I’ve used 100% cotton and even ones with some poly.
Thank you for sharing Rachel! I was wondering about this specifically!
I have seen my grandmother used an old blanket as the batting and backing. I have also seen her use bed sheet as backing. My other grandmother used old polyester fabric. (That thick, heavy fabric that clothes were made from back in the 70's-80's.) These quilts had a bed sheet as the backing. So as you say use what ever you want. Thanks for your opinion. PLAY with your fabrics.
Exactly! Play, have fun, and most importantly - make lots of beautiful things!
I got a real deal on poly/cotton king sheet set. I pick the seams out then iron out the creases and use them for back for my quilts. I also take apart the pillows and these make great backs for baby quilts. I never knew there were fabric police, good thing I missed that one.
LOL! Sometimes what you don't know is a good thing!
I'm mostly a hand quilter. My last project was backed with an old 400 thread count sheet. I didn't have any problems; however, I use the Ami Simms method of pushing the quilting needle with my thumb.
Thank you for sharing! That's good to know you could even hand quilt with a sheet too. Where there's a will, there's a way!
Thanks for doing this video. I am a beginner quilter and picked up some fat quarter packs from WalMart because I don’t want to spend a ton of money at a quilt shop on expensive fabric. I would rather buy inexpensive cheap material as a beginner.
I didn't realize you crocheted! Beautiful job,,, love improve of any kind and it takes an artist to acheive! Agree with your fabric opinions totally,,, "no rules, no mistakes... only creative opportunities" .........GB
Aw! Thank you!
All your information was great. Thank you.
Thank you Kim!
Ha ! I couldn't afford to do quilting if I didn't have access to the second hand shops . Have always used sheets , and just to shock you even more , old duvet covers as well as threadbare blankets for the wadding $3 - $6 beats paying between $40-$50 per metre for woollen wadding . The recipients are mostly very grateful . Also many sheets are sold with matching pillow cases . Go figure !!!!! Thanks for your informative posts xxp
You're super welcome and thank you for sharing. I love using old fleece blankets as the batting - they hold up great, are super warm, and extend the life of a really abused quilt by decades!
I love your sweater! Great info about using sheets, thank you for all you do for us. I appreciate you!
Thank you so much Laura! I so appreciate your kindness!
Yes, I totally agree with you- thanks!! Well said.
Thank you for watching Valerie!
My daughter had a box full of her past, slinky club hopping tops that she gave me. A quilter friend told me there was no way you could use the material from them in a quilt - she was very wrong. Did some QAYG crazy quilts that turned out beautiful and rich looking.
Whoa! That is one gorgeous, blingy quilt I bet!
Omg.. your sweater looks like my grandma's chair from the 60's! Good memories!
LOL! That's great! I plan to make a few pillows and chair covers as well. I find this extremely addictive!
Youre very talented Leah. That table runner is geoegeous
Awesome! I hope you'll join in the fun!
My opinion as an old lady who has seen and used a myriad of types of quilts is: You do you! Is your quilt going to the quilt shows and not being entered in the rustic categories? Then you might not want to use a sheet for the backing. Is your quilt a finely and carefully pieced top? Same answer. Is it a quilt you are making to keep your butt warm in cold weather? Is it a folk artsy quilt where anything goes? Is it a scrappy quilt using a variety of fabric? Well, then be my guest. You might not want a sheet with a high thread count is all. I have used them and will again. Probably for my current scrappy project from old clothing and various scraps I had or have found. It has corduroy, denim, flannel, quilt scraps, mask scraps, bargain bin mystery content fabric. So, the backing need not be yardage purchased at a premium price. A sheet, which I might dye to suit, will be just fine for a backing. My other project which is a flying goose pattern and of lower end brands of quilting cotton, probably not. I will probably get some yardage of the same brand. I am on a budget. You do you. Our ancestors used whatever was available and they could afford to make quilts and some very fine ones and some very rustic ones still survive today. Is it fancy home decor or a cover to keep your butt warm? I make both. So, to each their own and you should watch the videos filmed at quilt shows both in the US and in England. You will see works of fine art and some very rustic and unique creations and all are worthy of hanging in the show and being appreciated. So, it is your choice as a quilter. Just know the backing fabric can make or break a quilt. Sheets are just fine and a good choice for some quilts and terrible choices for others. It all depends. Happy quilting.
I found some beautiful twin size sheet sets and was thinking about using them in a quilt. I was going to try a block first by using the pillowcases in the set. Have any of you used microfiber sheet fabric for a quilt before and if so, what are your opinions on it?
I used micro fiber in an adorable whale print in the piecing on a quilt. I loved the look, but it is kind of a nightmare to work with. It frays and snags really easy, and it is hard to iron if it's sewn to cotton. However my daughter used a microfiber sheet as a backing and it wasn't quite as bad. Personally I won't use it again, but it does offer fun prints.
Doing a Cathedral Window with a white sheet for the background was a mistake I made. Not accounting for the high thread count I paid for it with very sore fingers when hand work was called for. It ended up a nice table runner but I won't do that again. Watch for thread count and pattern specifics. Lessons learned are great.
Ouch! You could try finishing it on a machine instead. It's okay to pivot and make a new plan.
Wow you got lots going on, Mahalo for sharing!!!
Thank you Serena!
I'm not one with money but I use sheets and towels for the inside of the bag they look good too
That's something to try! An old towel could easily be reused inside the middle of a baby blanket and that would have very nice weight!
Hi Leah and quilting friends. Wanted to share my thoughts for sheets in quilting. I used a sheet for the batting of my throw size quilt. I am new to quilting and before this I had only made one quilt. I have been watching your channel for about a year now and after several months of learning I finally pushed my fears aside and jumped right in. I made a Christmas present for my grandson. It was an " I Spy" quilt. It was a simple 5" squares sewn together with light quilting (X on each square). I didn't like the way it DIDNT drape around him. It was stiff, so I'm not sure if it was the batting or the backing. I ordered the backing online and I don't know if it was 100% cotton or not. Truth be told that was probably the problem, but anyway I didn't like that it DIDNT drape around him. My second and last so far is a throw size quilt and I used a pieced top of quilting cotton and backing was muslin. The inside "batting" was a king size sheet (1600 ct Egyptian cotton) folded in half and then in half again. That made top and backing 2 layers plus 4 layers of sheet. I didn't have any problem sewing through the layers with a simple singer from Wal-Mart and a regular foot. Needless to say I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE WAY IT TURNED OUT. It drapes and snugs the body perfectly and is heavy enough to keep you warm. I've had several quilting friends say "I've never thought of that, or I've never heard of that, I will have to try it" so if you want a throw or quilt that is perfect for cuddling up in to watch a movie, and drapes around you and you don't have to tuck around to keep it where you want it, try a sheet for batting you just might love it.
I do have a question, and any and all advice is welcomed. I am a brand new quilter and I want my quilts to wrinkle up and be soft, cozy, and look like and older quilt, but I have no idea which batting to use to make that happen. Any suggestions?
Leah, I love the sweater by the way. It's beautiful and shows your creativity well. Happy quilting everyone.
100% cotton batting shrinks the most. I use Pellon from WalMart, it is the best price and works very well. I sometimes use the Pellon 80/20 which also shrinks but not as much as the 100%.
Yep, Rachel has it right - 100% cotton batting will shrink up nicely. Most likely the quilt that was stiff will soften up with a few washings. It was probably a combo of how much quilting you did and the batting. You really don't need very much quilting these days. Some battings allow you to get away with just lines spaced 8 inches apart!
I agree with many commenters here. Fabric police?? Pfft. They don't get the history of the craft. The pioneer women worked with what they had and would probably roll in their graves at the thought! Many of us are on a budget. I ALWAYS use 2nd hand flat sheets as backings. It's upcycling and keeping those sheets out of the landfills! My quilts are filled with so much love, and no snobbery! I aim for 100% cotton, but sometimes I use cotton/poly if the sheet seems of good quality and is a print I love. I love your attitude about quilting. It should be a craft of love, not status. If you can afford the quilt shop cotton, cool! Go for it. If not sheets, shirts or what ever can work, and batting can be pricy, so use a 2nd hand blanket. It all works. It should be fun!
I love how soft sheets get as they age. Sometimes the higher quality cotton fabric is so stiff and rough, it takes years for it to become soft and cuddly!
Love your advice on quilting.
You're welcome!
Thank you for this!
Love this video!
I'm so happy to hear it!
When we talk about price, who wants to pay those high prices? I make a treasure hunt of buying fabric. I find the fabric I love and look all over the internet until I cheapest. I, also use bedsheets on the back of my quilts. I just make sure they are of good quality. I love using flannel all the time for backs. My family loves it! It is so cuddly. Stop worry ing what the crowd says and enjoy making quilts.
LOL! Quilt shop owners want us to! Yes, make what you want to make and love the craft!
From a seasoned quilter....a bed sheet is fine, unless you're hand quilting. The sheet has a high thread count and really tough on the fingers and wrists to hand quilt through. As quilters/knitters/crafters, we really need to think about our body....we want things to last for a really long time.
Very true!
You have to be careful with too sharp of a needle as it will cut the thread instead of push between the weave. The ball point is for weave and if it is very tight weave a dull ball point needle may not push through the weave. A needle for leather is very sharp and pointed to cut through the leather but if you use a leather needle on a weave it cuts the thread and then your material can pull apart. You are correct that each person must decide what it is they want to do. This is an art form so there is no wrong way just a different way. I mostly sew leather and denim and only started learning about quilting. My mother made a lot of quilts and so I know a little about it and want to learn more.
Good to know Owen! Thank you for sharing!
@@LeahDay You are welcome. I see a lot of people , on the internet, sewing on a treadle and they go from a netted and weave to leather all with the same needle and so I thought I would let everyone know what I found out. I used a leather needle on a netted weave and when I pulled on the material is came apart like it had be cut where the needle had gone through the material. When you use a ball point needle on leather it is hard on the machine and the needle, and can break a needle on leather. I recommend that everyone should have a good strong small magnifying glass to see the needle tip. You can see a ball point is different than a leather tip that has a knife like tip with two sides and the end very sharp. The standard sharp needle is round and pointed. You can see this if you have a strong enough magnifying glass. I also have a very fine stone sharpener that I sharpen the needles with. With a little practice you can fix a bent or dull point. I tried using cheap needs from the dollar store and found that they break more often, they don't have the slot for the thread in the needle like the better needles and the hole is not as smooth and can fray the thread until it breaks. I hope this helps.
I always use sheets for some of my quilting and sewing projects way cheaper than buying by the yard
I agree!
I love it
I have made lots of quilts from bed sheets it's all in the thread count
Thank you so much for sharing! I really must try it out on my next quilt!
Didn't know you crochet. That's 😎 cool
I knit too, I just don't make videos on those hobbies. I probably should!
I was also told not to use sheets. Anyway, I like print fabric & it’s hard to find single print sheets. I love vintage sheets but I keep those for skirts, pajamas or slips. One thing that also worries me about using sheets is pilling. I normally buy cotton sheets but I have 1 or 2 that are poly/cotton that didn’t pill and 1 that did. Does anyone know if there is a way to test a new sheet? I dislike microfiber sheets so I won’t use those.
I honestly have no idea. I think it's the luck of the draw with pilling. I had 100% quilter's cotton from a quilt shop pill on me once so I think it's just something that can happen sometimes. It might have even been the batting in my case...
My grandma made quilts out of all her old dresses for the granddaughters
Hey Leah it would be more wonderful, if this was a dress it seem to me as you have it on your model like a dress, oh how beautiful it is with all those bold colour for the summer I love it
Except that would make for either a very hot summer dress or a very cold winter dress! Right now it will hit above the thigh around the level of a tunic which will be perfect for a fall to spring sweater.
Can't wait to get book
Aw! Thank you Steph!
Thanks for sharing this! I totally agree with you.. experimenting and not limiting the kinds of fabrics to use for quilting allows us to be more creative. I did my first quilt top a few months ago and the fabrics that I used were my husband’s old jeans and a cotton fabric from a thrift store (instagram.com/p/BbVpl6kDH_H/). I’m excited to start to quilt it, just waiting to purchase myself a quilting machine. The machine that I used to sew the top is my husband’s grandma’s vintage machine! The top is not perfect at all.. but hey, nothing should stop us from playing with fabrics and quilts or other crafts. 🤗
Love your personality and your sweater, but what are you doing? Are you crocheting with a knitting needle?
This is a crochet hook with an extension just in case I wanted to add some Tunsian Crochet. It also has a pointy hook which makes pulling through lots of loops a bit easier.
Well done ❤️
Thank you for the inspiration my friend!
❤YOUR THE BEST.
What about using sheets for batting
I think that's fine and I've often used old flannel sheets as batting. Because they've obviously already been washed many times, you don't have to worry about shrinkage or dye bleeding.
I have used cotton bed sheets as a backing on all the quilts I have made and never had an issue. Most of my quilting has been done by hand. I have found that my hands ache regardless of the thread count or needle size simply because I am quilting a large area. Not everyone can afford expensive fabric all the time. People should stop being so judgemental.
I completely agree Joy! Thank you for sharing!